A proposed rule change that recognizes the presence of news media in the courtroom comes as WBUR prepares to launch a pilot project that will stream and blog from the Quincy District Court.

Among the changes being proposed to SJC Rule 1:19 is an expanded definition of the news media to include citizen media and bloggers. Live blogging would generally be permitted, and electronic devices would be allowed subject to certain restrictions. Journalists seeking to use electronic devices inside a courtroom would be required to register with the Supreme Judicial Court’s Public Information Office.

The changes come as public radio station WBUR prepares to launch “Order in the Court 2.0,” a Knight Foundation-funded pilot project. Two staff members have been hired and WBUR.org Executive Editor John Davidow says he’s hoping to have the site up and running by “the early part” of 2011.

Initially, the site will stream a live feed from the court’s first criminal session and will offer a docket and multi-media features about the court.

“For example, if someone is sentenced to an anger-management or drug treatment program, we’ll explain what that is,” Davidow says. “We’re looking to engage the community as well as create a toolbox that can be used elsewhere.”

As the project develops, other Quincy sessions are likely to be added. Davidow admits that not every moment of a day in the life of a District Court will make for enthralling viewing, but he says that “we’re not taking a look at this from the entertainment side. We’re trying to explain what the court is about and reconnect the public with this third branch of government, which has become more and more remote. There may be something that happens on your street that may be of interest to you, but you can’t make it to court to find out what happens, and I think that has value.”